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BEST FLOORING FOR DIRECT SUNLIGHT
Updated: Oct 15, 2022
Best Flooring For Direct Sunlight
If you’re thinking about getting new flooring and having direct sunlight exposure, it’s important to pick the flooring that will endure the sun’s harshness. This comprehensive guide covers all you need to know about picking the best flooring for direct sunlight. We’ll go over what materials work best with direct sunlight, how to make sure your new flooring isn’t damaged by the sun, and what to look out for if you start to develop problems.
Jump to our 5 best floors for direct sunlight
Carpet
Carpet is a good option for rooms that get direct sunlight. It’s affordable, easy to clean, and provides comfort underfoot. Carpet comes in a variety of yarn types, including nylon, polyester, olefin (polypropylene), and wool. The type you choose will depend on your personal preference as well as your lifestyle.
Wool carpets are expensive but durable; they can last 20 years or more with proper care. Nylon carpet is strong but might not be the best choice for areas that receive direct sunlight because it can fade over time; however, it does provide excellent insulation from heat.
Carpet is the most affordable type of flooring, but it’s also a bit more difficult to clean than hardwood or tile. When you’re choosing carpet, make sure to choose one that has a stain-resistant finish. You can also use an area rug in areas that receive direct sunlight; it will be easier to move around and clean if it gets dirty.
No matter what type of flooring you prefer, direct sunlight will fade and damage it over time. A good approach is to constantly move furniture and area rugs so that direct sunlight isn’t always hitting one particular spot on your flooring. If you have a rug in an area that receives direct sunlight, rotate it regularly so that all sides receive equal exposure to direct light.
One final point about carpet: If you choose to use it in a room that receives direct sunlight, be sure to look at the product specifications and see what the manufacturer says about its ability to withstand direct sunlight. Some carpets can fade or lose their color over time if they’re exposed to direct light.
You might also want to consider laminate flooring. Laminate is made from plastic, so it’s not as durable as hardwood or tile; however, it does provide an affordable option that is easy to clean and maintain.
Wood Floors Section
Hardwood will fade if exposed to direct sunlight. If you want a wood floor that can withstand direct sunlight, look for a type of wood that has been treated with UV protection. These woods are more expensive than traditional hardwoods, but they’re ideal for high-traffic areas and areas with lots of direct sunlight.
Honestly, though, no matter what type of hardwood you purchase, over time, hardwood will fade. If you try to match the hardwood a few years down the road, it will not be a match. One trick you can do is to constantly move your furniture around, so that sunlight does not hit any one spot on your floor for too long. This will help prevent fading in one spot.
Most upper-end hardwoods have a better finish protection, and will withstand direct sunlight better than lower-end hardwoods, however, they will still fade over time. One thing you can do to help with fading is to purchase an area rug that you can place in front of your window. This will help reduce some of the direct sunlight from hitting your floor directly.
Understand that no matter what type of flooring you have, once you have it installed, between foot traffic and sunlight, over time your flooring will fade. Nothing stays new forever. You can help slow down fading by moving furniture around so that direct sunlight does not hit any one spot on your floor too long.
Also understand that if you purchase a lower-end hardwood, there is a greater chance that it will fade quicker than an upper-end hardwood with better UV protection.
Laminate Floors Section
Laminate flooring is a good option if you have direct sunlight in your home. It’s durable, affordable, and can be installed over existing floors to give them an updated look. The only downside of laminate is that it sometimes scratches easily, so you’ll want to use rugs or mats in high-traffic areas.
Laminate flooring and water do not get along. So, if you install laminate flooring, understand that you need to put it in areas that do not typically get wet. Laminate flooring is made of synthetic materials that are sensitive to moisture, so avoid installing it in places like kitchens or bathrooms.
However, laminate can be installed over hardwood floors or tilesits without a problem. This means you can have a beautiful new look without having to replace your current floors.
Laminate flooring is one of the best options for direct sunlight, as it will have a tendency to keep it's original color and look for many years. Unlike hardwood flooring (which is made from a live tree), laminate flooring is made out of synthetic materials that are less likely to warp or change shape over time.
If you want your floors to last for many years, then you'll want to consider installing laminate flooring in areas that get direct sunlight on a regular basis. As long as you take care of your floors by keeping them clean and dry, they should be able to last for decades without any problems.
One final thought about laminate flooring and direct sunlight is that it's not a good idea to install it in your kitchen. As mentioned earlier, laminate flooring is sensitive to moisture, so you'll want to avoid installing it in areas where there's a high chance of water damage.
In addition, laminate flooring can sometimes scratch easily, so if you have kids or pets running around your home, then you'll want to make sure your family maintains a strict household preventative maintenance policy.
Ceramic Tile and Stone Section
Ceramic tile or stone is an excellent option for rooms that get direct sunlight. These floor materials are extremely durable and will stand up to heavy foot traffic, spills, and other wear-and-tear. They’re also easy to clean, so you won’t have to worry about dirt and grime getting trapped in cracks and crevices. Keep in mind that ceramic tiles can be slippery when wet, so it’s a good idea to place rugs around wet areas.
Ceramic tiles are one of the most common floors used for rooms with direct sunlight. However, if you want to use ceramic tile or stone in a room that gets direct sunlight, make sure you choose a light-colored variety. Darker colors will absorb heat and may increase your cooling costs in the summer months.
Many homeowners will place area rugs in rooms with direct sunlight to help reduce heat absorption and protect floor surfaces. Area rugs are also a great way to add color and texture to a room, so you can use them to tie together your entire design scheme.
If you’re considering placing ceramic tile or stone in a room with direct sunlight, make sure to check with your local home improvement store or flooring store about installation.
Ceramic tiles and stone are more difficult to install than many other types of flooring, so you may want to hire a professional if you’re not sure how to handle the installation yourself.
Vinyl Flooring Section
Vinyl plank flooring is another great option for flooring covering in rooms that have direct sunlight. This type of flooring will be very durable and easy to clean, and it won’t fade or warp when exposed to direct sunlight. The only downside to vinyl flooring is that it can become slippery when wet, so you might want to think about placing area rugs in certain areas of the floor.
Similar to other types of flooring, vinyl plank flooring comes with a factory finish that will protect it from direct sunlight. This means that you won’t have to worry about your floors fading or warping when exposed to direct sunlight.
Vinyl plank flooring is available in many different colors and styles. The most popular type of plank flooring is called Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). This type of plank is made from a blend of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and wood fibers.